Medical Transcriptionists in Wyoming
Medical transcriptionists work primarily to transform audio recordings from physicians and other healthcare providers into official written medical documentation. With changes in modern technology, transcriptionists are increasingly being asked to provide editing of documents produced using voice recognition software. Working in the field requires a keen eye for detail and good listening and typewriting skills.
Training for medical transcription should include an overview of medical terminology, word processing software and health information technology. Transcriptionists will also need specialized knowledge of medical procedures, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical abbreviations and diagnostic procedures. Other important skills include familiarity with appropriate reference materials and up-to-date compliance with legal and confidentiality requirements.
Regulations in Wyoming for Medical Transcription
Wyoming does not have a licensure requirement for medical transcriptionists, nor is there a specific statewide regulatory body for the profession. Those wishing to pursue this career will need a high school diploma or equivalent in order to apply for a training course. Some type of training in medical transcription will need to be completed prior to finding work in the field. Training courses can take place either in person or online, with online training being significantly more prevalent.
Training for Medical Transcriptionists in Wyoming
Finding an on-campus training program in Wyoming may be difficult; however, online options are abundant throughout the country. A few of these include:
- Western Wyoming Community College offers online training for medical transcription, with six weeks of access. The program covers the nine main report types, used in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and their components. Students will use a transcribing program (included in the price of the course) to practice listening to and generating medical reports.
- Ashworth College offers online training for medical transcription. The course promises to prepare students to obtain the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) credential from the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) upon graduation, with the cost of the examination included in the tuition.
- Penn Foster College offers online training for medical transcription, with focus on simulations and voice recognition software.
Recommended Certifications for Career Advancement
The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) is a well-known organization through which medical transcriptionists seek certification. Acquiring the initial Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) designation is a good way for newer transcriptionists to show a greater degree of expertise and professionalism to potential employers. The certification can be obtained through passing an examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the blank listening exercises and a sample transcription.
Growth Projections and Salaries in Wyoming
According to Projections Central, the medical transcription industry is in a state of nationwide decline, predicting a 3.3 percent decline from 2016 to 2026. In Wyoming, the rate of decline is predicted to be even higher, with a 12.5 percent decline predicted over the same period.
Salaries, on the other hand, are slightly higher for medical transcriptionists in Wyoming than the national average. In data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2018, medical transcriptionists reported an average annual salary of $39,470 in the state of Wyoming. Nationwide the reported average came in at only $36,350.
Opportunities in Wyoming for Medical Transcriptionists
According to the BLS, the highest concentration of medical transcriptionists work in business support services, physicians’ offices and hospitals, while the highest paid transcriptionists work in local government, accounting and tax firms and diagnostic laboratories. It should be noted that the career also has a good potential for business ownership, freelancing and for working remotely.
A few possible employers in Wyoming include Campbell County Health, Vibra Healthcare, CareStaff Partners, Wyoming Behavioral Institute and Ensign Services.